By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Tigers 9-4, Twins 2-2 – The Tigers now own the final playoff spot in the American League with 10 games remaining.
Detroit swept its doubleheader over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday to surpass the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card standings.
In Game 1, Victor Martinez hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the in the ninth inning which propelled Detroit to a six-run inning.
Andrew Romine paced the Tigers with three hits and a stolen base while Justin Upton chipped in with a solo home run.
Detroit’s starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez tossed a no-decision despite allowing just one run on two hits in five innings.
Tigers’ relief pitcher Alex Wilson picked up his fourth win of the season after throwing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball.
In Game 2, Erick Aybar paced Detroit with two RBIs while Miguel Cabrera and Jose Iglesias each doubled.
Justin Verlander tossed his 15th win of the season for the Tigers, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out 11 batters in six innings.
Tigers’ closer Francisco Rodriguez notched his 44th save of the year, recording the final three outs of the contest.
The Tigers are now 82-70 on the season and will look to hold on to the final playoff spot.
Detroit will start its final home stand, starting with a three-game weekend series with the defending champion Kansas City Royals.
Record: 82-70
2nd Place in AL Central Division (7 games behind first-place Cleveland)
.5 game ahead of Baltimore for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 10
Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 18
Misery # to AL Central Division elimination: 4
Misery # to playoff elimination: 11
Next Game: 09/23/2016 vs Kansas City Royals 7:10 p.m. @ Comerica Park
Hitting stats: Game 1-Victor Martinez HR (25) 3 RBI (80), Justin Upton HR (26) RBI (79), Miguel Cabrera RBI (94), Cameron Maybin 2B (13), Andrew Romine SB (8). Game 2-Erick Aybar 2 RBI (34), Jarrod Saltalamacchia RBI (38), Jose Iglesias 2B (22), Miguel Cabrera 2B (30).
Pitching stats: Game 1-Alex Wilson W (4-0) 1.2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 1 K, Anibal Sanchez 5 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 4 K. Game 2-Justin Verlander W (15-8) 6 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 11 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (44) 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K.
